The Wsl Invincibles? Chelsea Eye Records After Sealing Another Title

When it comes to nan Women's Super League, Chelsea are playing against themselves arsenic overmuch arsenic immoderate different side.

A 1-0 triumph astatine Manchester United connected Wednesday nighttime secured nan Blues' sixth successive WSL crown, and their first nether caller head Sonia Bompastor.

Such regularity whitethorn person played a portion successful nan alternatively muted celebrations astatine full-time - handshakes and hugs, alternatively than tears of joy.

There is besides nan Champions League, nan beatified grail for which Chelsea still search.

This title was secured 3 days aft nan Blues' attempts to triumph a first European title were ended, for nan 3rd successive season, by Barcelona - and, 8-2 connected aggregate, much comprehensively than ever.

So really do Chelsea guarantee this title triumph stands retired among nan six, and that this play - which could extremity successful a home treble of WSL, League Cup and FA Cup - is someway not categorised arsenic a disappointment?

"We wanted to beryllium unbeaten," Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze told Sky Sports, aft scoring nan victor astatine Leigh Sports Village.

"The fortunate point for america this play is that we person stayed unbeaten truthful we knew location were still 2 things to play for. We knew earlier nan crippled Arsenal had sewage hit and we knew what we needed, but we wanted to win, we wanted to beryllium unbeaten each season.

"Although we person won nan convention coming we person 2 games near and we want to triumph those too. We want to beryllium unbeaten for nan full season."

Only successful 3 erstwhile completed seasons has nan WSL been won by an unbeaten broadside - Arsenal successful 2012, Manchester City successful 2016 and Chelsea themselves successful 2018.

But it has ne'er been done complete nan existent format of a 22-game season. If Chelsea debar conclusion against Tottenham adjacent Sunday past astatine location to Liverpool connected 10 May, they will person surgery caller ground.

Bompastor will person to woody pinch nan repercussions of specified a disappointing Champions League exit - but registering possibly nan astir broad WSL title of each clip will spell immoderate measurement to making up for it.

Indeed, if Chelsea triumph their last 2 games, they will group a caller WSL points grounds - beating their ain tally of 58 successful 2022-23. Victory successful their remaining fixtures will make nan Blues nan first broadside to grounds 60 points successful a campaign.

"I ever look for perfection and nan ideal," Bompastor told her post-match media convention astatine Leigh Sports Village.

"I told my players retired of position and defensively I want to support a cleanable sheet. I want to conflict for each other. We said astir really we managed nan extent and really we needed to beryllium compact, triumph nan duels and triumph nan 2nd balls. It is each these details.

"I americium ne'er satisfied. Even erstwhile we triumph I americium already focused connected nan treble and nan different finals."

Bompastor has go nan first head to lead a broadside to nan WSL title successful their maiden play since Laura Harvey took Arsenal to nan apical of nan inaugural convention successful 2011.

She admitted she had worried astir nan unit erstwhile she made her much-vaunted move from Lyon to London, and filling nan shoes of predecessor Emma Hayes, who she praised fulsomely aft beating Man Utd.

"When you travel to Chelsea everyone expects you to triumph nan league," she said. "It was nan aforesaid successful Lyon but present nan title is higher. To beryllium capable to execute it for six years successful a statement for Chelsea and successful my first season, it is not easy.

"I heard immoderate sound astir nan truth it is excessively easy for Chelsea but it is not! When you are capable to beryllium unbeaten, to hit Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United twice, I don't cognize really group tin deliberation that. It is unbelievable.

"Don't deliberation it's easy. It's ne'er easy. It's a awesome accomplishment and a batch of activity each day. I don't fto my players breathe.

"I want to convey Emma [Hayes]. I americium judge she is really happy coming pinch our title. She near nan nine successful a awesome spot to build connected nan legacy."

Chelsea person not ever blown sides distant this run - they person scored less goals than second-placed Arsenal, while nary subordinate has netted double figures successful nan league.

Wednesday nighttime encapsulated their convention campaign. United had much shots, a higher xG, and a very coagulated outcry for a punishment earlier half-time erstwhile Millie Bright appeared to travel Grace Clinton. Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton made 5 saves and was named subordinate of nan match.

But they find a measurement to win, and win, and win. And crucially, not lose.

"Coming to this nine I ever wanted to execute trophies," Hampton told nan BBC. "The truth that I tin opportunity that successful nan 2 seasons I person been present we person won nan title some times it is surreal. It ne'er gets old. As galore times arsenic we triumph it, it'll ne'er get old."

Chelsea's play now has 3 games to tally - nan 2 convention fixtures, past nan FA Cup last against Manchester United, again, connected 18 May.

To extremity it unbeaten domestically would beryllium a singular achievement.

"It's what dreams are made of for Sonia Bompastor," erstwhile England defender Izzy Christiansen told Sky Sports. "Her staff, nan caller players and nan existing players that person done this before. They cognize what it feels like. They don't attraction wherever they do it aliases really they do it arsenic agelong arsenic they do it."